Background

The global COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity for Samoa to test and strengthen social, economic, and environmental resilience in safeguarding and accelerating progress against the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA Pathway). While reversing rising unemployment trends will require continued macroeconomic stability, targeted labour support to the unemployed, particularly women and youth, is critical to building back better by creating more sustainable, resilient and inclusive industries, capable of buffering the long-term socio-economic impact of COVID-19 and risks of future crises, whilst ensuring strengthened local and nation-wide preparedness mechanisms. The COVID-19 Preparedness and Recovery: Diversification of the Economic Sector in Samoa project aims to strengthen COVID-19 preparedness and accelerate socio-economic recovery through the revitalization, diversification, and expansion of the agriculture and fisheries sector to unlock the potential of Samoa’s green and blue economy, adopting a Human Security approach to create sustainable employment opportunities for the vulnerable, particularly women and youth. The project envisions a single, overarching output: COVID-19 preparedness and socio-economic recovery is strengthened in Samoa, particularly for unemployed women and youth. Key results expected to be achieved include the exploration and testing of niche market opportunities for sustained and sustainable local value chain development that benefit women and youth through the creation of decent employment and economic empowerment and contribute to strengthening health preparedness, environmental sustainability, and community resilience.

Under the guidance of the UNDP Assistant Resident Representative, Governance and Poverty Reduction Unit (GPRU) and under the direct supervision of the CPDRESS Project Coordinator, the Communications consultant, will support and guide the development and implementation of the CPRDESS communications and visibility strategies, as well as communication for development (C4D) activities.  The Communications consultant will also work closely with the UNDP Communications Analyst on related GPRU projects. This includes coordinating existing communications capacities and resources, gathering data and feedback, developing tools and guidelines, and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK

1. Coordinate, design, plan and develop CPRDESS Joint Communications and Visibility Strategy and plans

• Support the development of comprehensive and realistic communication and visibility plans and strategies, ensuring a gender perspective.  

• Support the Project Coordinator and Communications Analyst to manage, evaluate, and implement high impact communications’ products (e.g. web, electronic, etc.);

• Coordinate the implementation of visibility, communications, and outreach activities.

• Support the design of C4D, community outreach, and engagement, as well as awareness-raising activities, including the development of graphic visuals and promotional materials for project visibility and community outreach, targeted to project beneficiaries and audience. 

• Ensure wide dissemination and visibility of programme achievements.

• Identify and compile success stories and programme achievements and manage knowledge sharing.

• Assist with the writing of press releases, policy briefs, pamphlets, talking points, speeches, editorials, branded materials, and other written communications materials.

• Provide communications and advocacy support to joint national campaigns, launching initiatives, and publications.

• Support management of the relationship with members of the media.

• Support other related GPRU Communications material when required.

2. Coordinate the design and planning of communication for development.

• Support the design and implement coordinated C4D messaging.

• Assess and/or recommend appropriate information materials for C4D ensuring accuracy, quality, and consistency with related messages and materials.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

In line with the primary tasks and scope of work outlined above, the NC will submit the following outputs and deliverables within the specified timelines

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

Under the guidance of the UNDP Assistant Resident Representative GPRU and direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the NC will work closely with the UNDP Communications Analyst to deliver the expected deliverables within the required timeframes.

The NC is also expected to engage and work with a range of relevant stakeholders such as Government Agencies, Private Sector Entities, NGOs, and Civil Society Organizations.

DURATION OF WORK

The duration of the assignment is approximately 60 working days and is expected to be completed within 12 Weeks period and by 25th November, 2021.    

DUTY STATION

The national consultant will be home-based but virtual communications and participation in all aspects of the assignment is required.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.
• Act as a team player while also taking individual initiative to complete outlined tasks;
• Sharing knowledge - across the action in particular and the organization in general -through supporting the building of a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
• Communication - Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
• Planning & Organizing – Develops clear goals in line with agreed strategies, identifies priorities, foresees risks and makes allowances accordingly.
• Organizational Awareness - Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• Teamwork - Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and delivers outputs in accordance with agreed standards.

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills (written, spoken, composing, presentation) and ability to share expertise for capacity building;
• Has deep knowledge of health and safety country laws and regulations;
• Political and cultural sensitivity and commitment to UNDP’s development objectives in the country;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices;
• Ability to manage competing demands and meet deadlines;
• Proven networking, teambuilding, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF BEST OFFER

The award of the contract will be made to the Individual Consultant whose offer has been evaluated using the “Combined Scoring Method” and determined as:

1. Responsive/ Compliant/ Acceptable, and,
2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation:

TECHNICAL CRITERIA WEIGHT – 70%

FINANCIAL CRITERIA WEIGHT – 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% of the total technical points (49 points) will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Proposal (70%)

Technical Approach, Methodology, and Workplan (30 marks) - This explains the understanding of the objectives of the assignment, approach to the services, methodology for carrying out of the activities, and obtaining the expected output. The Applicant should also provide a workplan broken down by deliverable.

Qualification and Experience (70 marks) – Evaluation of CVs for Shortlisting

1. Mandatory Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Humanities, Social Policy, Research & Data Analysis, or equivalent areas (10 Marks)
2. At least 10 years of work experience at the international level in Development, Social sciences, Sociology, Social Protection, Poverty reduction, and/or Labour market and skills development at theoretical and practical levels in the field. (10 Marks)
3. Proven experience of conducting social research utilizing a mixed-methods approach and with solid experience of conducting interviews with vulnerable respondents on potentially sensitive issues (10 Marks)
4. Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills (5 Marks)
5. Demonstrated familiarity with human rights standards and principles, including CRC and CRPD (10 Marks)
6. Demonstrated knowledge and experience with work on social inclusion and people with disabilities (10 Marks)
7. Relevant work experience in the Pacific Islands & developing countries in a multi-stakeholder environment with development organizations, Government, civil society, private sector, or a research/academic institution. (5 Marks)
8. A sound understanding of project results-based management would be an asset. (5 Marks)
9. Proficiency in written and spoken English required. (5 Marks)

Financial Proposal (30%)

Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price in WST tala (including professional fee and all other related and applicable costs to be incurred by the individual consultant in completing the assignment), supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (Annex II)

Awarding of Contract

The combined scoring method which will be based on a combination of the technical and financial score to award the contract:

Rating the Technical Proposal (TP):

           TP Rating = (Total Score Obtained by the Offer / Max. Obtainable Score for TP) x 100

Rating the Financial Proposal (FP):

           FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

Total Combined Score:

Combined Score = (TP Rating) x (Weight of TP, 70%) + (FP Rating) x (Weight of FP, 30%)

NOTE: In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging, and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and the Individual Consultant, before travel and will be reimbursed.

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